Uptown Lexington prepares for GroundHawg's Day

Tuesday

Jan 22, 2013 at 9:08 AM

Lexington residents who rise early on a Saturday can venture downtown to see if a potbellied pig predicts an early spring.

Lexington residents who rise early on a Saturday can venture downtown to see if a potbellied pig predicts an early spring.Uptown Lexington, Inc., will sponsor its Ninth Annual GroundHawg's Day on the Square starting at 7:35 a.m. Feb. 2. Miss Charlotte, the pig who serves as Uptown Lexington's official mascot, will appear and see if she sees casts a shadow to predict six more weeks of winter. Chris Klim will play the French horn to accompany her appearance.Taking just a slight liberty with the traditional Pennsylvania observance of Candlemas, the celebration of the midpoint between winter and spring, Uptown Lexington, Inc. added a twist to Punxsutawney, Pa.'s celebration of Groundhog's Day by using the symbol of Lexington, a pig, based on the city's barbecue heritage. The Candlemas tradition says that if on this day it is fair, bright and sunny such that an animal can cast its shadow, it is an omen winter will last six more weeks. However, if the day is cloudy and shadowless, it is a sign of spring's arrival. The festivities begin just past sunrise around 7:35 a.m. About 7:45 a.m., Miss Charlotte will come out to see if she can see her shadow. Official GroundHawg's Day representatives, donned in tails provided by Bruce's Tuxedo, will lead the celebration. They include Uptown Lexington Board President Tim Ragan, Lexington Mayor Newell Clark and Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Alley who will announce Miss Charlotte's official weather forecast. "This year, since GroundHawg's Day falls on a Saturday, we hope more families will attend," said Jo Ellen Edwards, Uptown Lexington's executive director, in a press release. "Much like the public brings signs to wish someone a happy birthday to the street 'set' of NBC's 'Today' show in New York, we invite the public to bring signs to show their desire — or wish — for an early spring or winter weather."The sign with the best message and artwork will win a $25 gift certificate to Café 35. "Since 2005, the GroundHawg's Day prediction in Lexington has been optimistic with a prediction of an early spring each year," Ragan said. "Come join us this year to see if the tradition continues." For more information about the Ninth Annual GroundHawg's Day, contact Uptown Lexington at 249-0383.